Sony Unveils New Z3 Series Xperia Smartphones, Tablet, Smart Wearables at IFA 2014
Sony Unveils New Z3 Series Xperia Smartphones, Tablet, Smart Wearables at IFA 2014Sony Mobile

Mobile arm of the Japanese technology giant, Sony has launched the long rumored flagship Z3 series Xperia devices, as well smart wearables at the ongoing international electronics trade show – IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin) 2014 at Germany.

"Sony is relentless in its pursuit of innovation and we believe that consumers shouldn't settle for good experiences, but demand great ones. It's this spirit of customer focused innovation that drives us to deliver great products and experiences, with the widest ever choice and flexibility, without compromise," said Kunimasa Suzuki, President and CEO, Sony Mobile Communication.

First up, the flagship smartphone, Xperia Z3 resembles its predecessor in terms of outlook and packs pretty much same internal hardware sans a couple of features. It boasts of thinner body (1mm slimmer than Z2) with curved corners and an Aluminum frame on the edge.

Under the hood, the clock rate of Snapdragon 801 series processor has been increased to 2.5GHz. It is backed by 3GB RAM, 16GB inbuilt memory (expandable up to 128GB) and 3100 mAh battery.

On camera front, it boasts of 20.7 megapixel camera (with auto-focus, Exmor RS sensor, pulsed LED flash, 4K resolution video recording) and 2.2-megapixel snapper on the front.

Only difference between Z2 and Z3 is that it boasts of IP65/IP68 water and dust resistant certifications, highest rating in the smartphone industry. Users can take the new Sony phone for a dip in the swimming pool (or any other water-body), 1.5 meter (five feet) under water for close to 30 minutes, provided all the open ports are closed by the flaps provided in the package. Z3 also comes with PlayStation certification enabling users to use their smartphone as a controller on PS4 console and also play games on the smartphone. 

On the other hand, Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is just a mini version of the flagship smartphone; it boasts same internal hardware sans the display specifications. It sports 4.6-inch HD screen with TRILUMINOS and X-Reality display technology. [Scroll down to know detailed features].

Xperia Tablet Z3 features 8.0-inch full HD display and is powered by Android v4.4 KitKat backed by 2.5GHz Qualcomm processor, 3GB RAM, 16GB memory (expandable) and a high-capacity 4500 mAh, which can keep the device running for close to 1,220 hours under standby mode.

Besides the high-end devices, Sony also unveiled a budget smartphone Xperia E3. It sports a 4.5-inch FWVGA screen and comes packed modest internal hardware such 1GB RAM, 4GB memory (expandable), 5.0-megapixel camera and VGA camera on the front.

Sony also pulled the wraps-off the third generation flagship SmartWatch. Sony is the fifth tier-1 firm to join the club to offer the Android Wear powered smartwatch (other three are Samsung, LG, Motorola and Asus). The digital smartwatch is powered by 1.2GHz Qaud-core ARM A7 CPU with 512MB RAM and 4GB eMMC memory. It also boasts of IP68 water-proof certification.

Other smart wearable device includes a smart fitness tracker dubbed as SmartBand Talk. It features a curved 1.4" e-paper display that is highly visible and clear, giving you always-on updates of your Lifelog activities, notifications and to tell the time at a glance. A built-in microphone and speaker, combined with a short call function, lets you talk into it and hear your caller. And the new built-in accelerometer and altimeter sensor technology provide an accurate overview of your daily physical activity. It also boasts of IP68 water-proof certification.

Key specifications of Sony Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact and E3:

Models Xperia Z3 Xperia Z3 Compact Xperia E3
Display 5.2-inch full HD (1920x1080p) screen with TRILUMINOS and X-Reality display technology 4.6-inch HD (1280x720p) screen with TRILUMINOS and X-Reality display technology 4.5-inch FWVGA(854x480p) screen with scratch-resistant shield
OS Android v4.4 KitKat Android v4.4 KitKat Android v4.4 KitKat
GPU Adreno 330 Adreno 330 Adreno 305
Processor 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor 1.2Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core CPU
RAM 3GB 2GB 1GB
Storage capacity 16GB, expandable up to 128GB 16GB, expandable up to 128GB 4GB, expandable up to 32GB
Camera Main: 20.7 megapixel camera with auto-focus, Exmor RS sensor, pulsed LED flash, 4K resolution video recordingFront: 2.2-megapixel camera (ISO 3200) Main: 20.7 megapixel camera with auto-focus, Exmor RS sensor, pulsed LED flash, full HD resolution video recordingFront: 2.2-megapixel camera (ISO 12800) Main: 5.0-megapixel camera with LED flash, 4X zoom, full HD (1080p) video recording abilityFront: VGA (0.3-megapixel) camera
Battery 3100 mAh;Talk time: up to 19 hoursStandby time: close to 740 hours 2600 mAh;Talk time: up to 14 hoursStandby time: close to 920 hours 2330 mAh;Talk time: up to 12 hours 20 minutesStandby time: close to 706 hours
Network 2G , 3G & 4G-LTE (in select markets) 2G , 3G & 4G-LTE (in select markets) 2G , 3G & 4G-LTE (in select markets)
Add-ons IP65/IP68 water and dust resistant certifications, PlayStation certified (PS4 Remote Play), Sony surround sound technology, Bluetooth v4.0, NFC, Wi-Fi , A-GPS, GLONASS, micro-USB (High speed v2.0), microSD card slot IPX5/IPX8 water and (IP6X)dust resistant certifications, PlayStation certified (PS4 Remote Play), Sony surround sound technology, Bluetooth v4.0, NFC, Wi-Fi , A-GPS, GLONASS, micro-USB (High speed v2.0), microSD card slot Bluetooth v4.0, NFC, Wi-Fi , A-GPS, GLONASS, micro-USB (High speed v2.0), microSD card slot, USB FM radio with RDS
Dimensions 146.5 x 72. 0 x 7.3 mm 127.3 x 64.9 x 8.64 mm 137.1 x 69.4 x 8.5 mm
Weight 152 g 129 g 143.8 g
Colours White, black, green and copper White, black, green and red White, black, yellow and copper

Key specifications of Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact:

Model Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
Display 8.0-inch full HD (1920x1200p) TRILUMINOS and X-Reality display technology
OS Android v4.4 KitKat
Processor 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 series quad-core CPU
GPU Adreno 330
RAM 3GB
Storage capacity 16GB, expandable up to 128GB
Camera Main: 8.1-megapixel camera with Auto-focus, Exmor RS sensor, full HD video recording ability, 8X zoom.Front: 2.2-megapixel camera with full HD (1080p) video recording and high-resolution video chatting
Battery 4500 mAh;Standby time: up to 1220 hours
Add-ons IPX5/IPX8 water and (IP6X)dust resistant certifications, PlayStation certified (PS4 Remote Play), Sony surround sound technology, Bluetooth v4.0, NFC, Wi-Fi , A-GPS, GLONASS, micro-USB (High speed v2.0), microSD card slot
Dimensions 213.0 x 123.0 x 6.4 mm
Weight 280 g
Colours Black & White